Beautiful Barnsley Gardens in Adairsville, Georgia

Established as a cotton plantation in the 1840s, Barnsley Gardens located in Adairsville, Georgia, was Godfrey Barnsley's dream come true to create a country manor house and gardens to rival the estates of his native England.

Barnsley had come to America from Liverpool, England in 1823 at the age of eighteen and by the age of twenty-five Barnsley was a successful cotton factor. Barnsley planned the mansion with the same bold imagination that had made him a wealthy man. He called his dream manor Woodlands. Barnsley loved gardening and designed his gardens in the style of Andrew Jackson Downing, who is considered America's first great landscape architect. As a prominent cotton merchant, Barnsley traveled the world returning to his Georgia home with rare and exotic plants to add to his gardens.

Designed as an Italian-style villa, this twenty-four room manor was spectacular in its own right. With imported tiles for the verandah, mantles made from Italian back and white marble, and doors and paneling custom made by London cabinetmakers, this manor would be one-of-a-kind. Other unheard of features for that time period included modern-day conveniences such as hot and cold running water. The family kitchen sported an innovative spring-wound cooking spit that automatically turned cuts of meat over roasting coals.

The house was built on an acorn-shaped hill reputedly cursed, and Indian legend warned it should be avoided as an unlucky site. You could say this proved to be true because shortly after Barnsley moved his family to Woodlands an infant son died and his wife, Julia, soon after in 1845. His oldest daughter married and moved to England while the second daughter died in the house in 1858 and the oldest son was killed by pirates in 1862 while on a trip to the Orient looking for exotic shrubbery for his father's garden.

Despite his seemingly run of bad luck, Barnsley carried on with his plans for the mansion and the gardens, obsessing over them to get them completed. Furnish his manor in the grandeur he imagined, Barnsley toured Europe for furnishings, returning with an impressive stock of art treasures and furniture.

On May 18, 1864, the Civil War tromped through Woodlands and the Union troops found Barnsley all alone with his treasures and his incomplete mansion. The soldiers destroyed most everything in the mansion.

Godfrey Barnsley died in New Orleans in 1873 and his daughter Julia returned his body to his beloved Woodlands.

The twenty-four room Italian villa-style main house was left in ruins by a storm in 1906.

Today tales of ghosts are still plentiful in the gardens of Barnsley. After his wife died, Barnsley wrote repeatedly of feeling the presence of his dead wife everywhere. It is said that Mrs. Julia Barnsley Saylor, the granddaughter of the Barnsley's, saw her grandmother's apparition so often that it became an accustomed sight to her. She also told friends that she saw her Uncle George, a son of Barnsley, appear on the estate on the night of his death.

The story of Barnsley Gardens is as compelling as it is tragic, with or without all the ghosts running around. But what might have happened had Barnsley listened to the warnings about the cursed hill and built his mansion elsewhere on the property? Might it still be standing today?

Barnsley Gardens was purchased in 1988 by Prince Hubertus Fugger and his wife. The remains of the neglected manor and gardens were resurrected and today Barnsley Gardens is a northwest Georgia historic showplace and home to a luxurious golf resort, complete with ghosts.

Barnsley Gardens Today

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the 1,400-acre Barnsley village-style complex welcomes guests today into a romantic setting that feels more like an intimate residence than a resort. During the daylight hours visitors can enjoy the beauty of more than 125 heirloom variety of flowers and plants among the Historic Gardens and Manor House Ruins. Heirloom Garden Tours are $10 adults, $8 seniors, and $5 children under 12 years old. (Prices subject to change.)

If flowers or ruins are not your thing, Barnsley Gardens you can try your luck on the championship golf course (The General), relax with a spa treatment, try your hand at fly-fishing, or enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking or the hiking trails.

Barnsley Gardens Resort Golf

"The General", the championship golf course at Barnsley Gardens, won the 2008 Georgia Course of the Year honors! Located at 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville, Georgia, this Par 72 course was designed by Jim Fazio to preserve the natural beauty of its historic woodland setting. Many par three's prove challenging for the most seasoned golfer with the dramatic elevation changes. Call two weeks in advance for tee time reservations which range from $75-$100 - 1-877-773-2447 or 770-773-7480. Amenities include a Putting Green, Driving Range, Lessons, Pro Shop, Driving Carts, Spikeless Shoes Only, Snack Bar & Restaurant, Locker Room, Rental Clubs, USGA Member, PGA Teaching Pro, Dress Code, Lodging, and Tournament Packages.

Barnsley Gardens Resort Restaurants

At the end of the day enjoy a fantastic meal at the Beer Garden, the Rice House or the Woodlands Grill. At the Beer Garden you can enjoy sausages, pretzels, and a pint of Spaten. The crackling fire pit is a popular nighttime gathering place for kids of all ages to toast s-mores.

Located in an 1854 restored farmhouse, the Rice House is an upscale restaurant offering fresh fish, the finest prime beef and wild game. The popular Southern Sunday Lunch is available on Sunday's featuring southern mouthwatering foods such as fried chicken, southern sides, and fresh vegetables accompanied by good old southern fashioned iced tea! Reservations are required for the Southern Sunday Lunch and cancellations must be made 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged. For reservations call 770-773-7480, ext. 2106.

The Woodlands Grill is the social hub of the Barnsley Gardens Resort with the ambience of an English hunting lodge. Overlooking the golf course, it is host to a full breakfast each morning (7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.), lunch (11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) and dinner (5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.) each day and hops with late night fun at Dugan's Tavern, the Woodlands Grill Bar. The Woodlands Grill has something for everyone offering great tasting foods such as juicy burgers, light salads, quick snacks, and steak dinners. Reservations are recommended.

Barnsley Gardens Resort Meetings, Retreats & Weddings

The Pavilion is a 5,000 square-foot facility for corporate retreats with a stacked-stone fireplace and wonderful décor. Meeting packages are available which are easy to plan and budget.

With its history of romance, Barnsley Gardens is a popular venue for weddings. The heirloom gardens and the historic manor make for ideal background settings for an outdoor wedding. There is also a wedding chapel in the heart of the village.

Barnsley Gardens offers the assistance of a professional conference coordinator or wedding planner. Call 770-773-7480 or visit their website.

Barnsley Gardens Resort Spa Treatment

Renew and refresh yourself with one or more of the many spa treatments available at the Barnsley Gardens Resort Spa. Enjoy a radiant skin treatment, a hot stone massage, or a foot reflexology session. Overnight guests at Barnsley Gardens are granted full spa privileges including access to saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools. Day guests of the spa may enjoy these spa facilities one hour before or after their treatment.

Barnsley Gardens Resort Accommodations
All resort accommodations are smoke free.

When you are tired from your busy day you may choose to retire in a richly appointed cottage. Inspired by the architecture of Andrew Jackson Downing are thirty-seven unique cottages at Barnsley Gardens, each with their own unique view. With eighty-seven guest rooms and suites, there are plenty of options to choose from to suit your need.If you plan to spend an evening or two at Barnsley Garden, you may choose from a Cottage, Manor Rooms, Garden Suites, Meadow Suites, Private Cottages, Arbor Cottages, two-bedroom Gardener's Cottage, two-bedroom Julia Cottage, five-bedroom Adelaid Cottage, six-bedroom Kingston Cottage, and seven-bedroom Godfrey Cottage. These various cottages accommodate from 2-22 people. Rates start at $259.

Barnsley Gardens Resort Directions

Barnsley Gardens
597 Barnsley Gardens Road
Adairsville, GA 30103
770-773-7480 or 1-877-773-2447.

Directions: I-75 Exit 306, GA 140 west through traffic light, at second left turn onto Hall Station Road and follow signs. Hall Station Road will intersect Barnsley Gardens Road.

Sources:

Golfing

Gardens

Bartow County, GA

Godfrey Barnsley

Barnsley Resort